Brazzaville ~ August 13-15

Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza  
                               the namesake of Brazzaville....

This past week we traveled to Brazzaville to be instructed by President Monga.  We were able to see the Mission Home, and where the Mission Offices are.  We had meetings about doing the audits for the Branches and our "collective responsibilities" of watching over our respective parts of the Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo Mission.  

We also were instructed by Elder and Sister Van Gass, who are Missionaries assigned to the Area Mental Health.  Elder Van Gass is a Psychologist and offers help and support for any missionaries who are having a hard time adjusting "mentally" to their missions.   

We also were able to see Elder and Sister Moody from Gabon, Elder and Sister Coleman from Cameroon, and Elder and Sister Dimond from Yaounde who arrived 6 weeks ago.    We had so much fun talking about our different areas.  We also shared our successes and our concerns that are part of being a Senior Missionary couple for the Lord.  We had a wonderful time to "fill our wells".

We had always wondered where Brazzaville got its name, and learned while we were there about this huge statue of Pierre de Brazza.

Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza was an Italian explorer who was later naturalized as a Frenchman.  He opened up for France, entry along the right bank of the Congo, which eventually led to French colonies in Central Africa.  

 On the 30 September 2006, de Brazza's remains were exhumed from Algiers along with those of his wife and four children.  They were reinterred in Brazzaville in this marble mausoleum which had been prepared for them which cost 10 million dollars.    ( A little history lesson for the day!!)

Sister Monga greeted us as we arrived at the Mission Home.

 The beautiful grounds that surround the Mission Home....

President and Sister Monga's son Aurnald, having an Algebra lesson.

Their daughter "Miriam" helped prepare our meal.  

This is "Dorian"  who helps Sister Monga with her family when President and Sister Monga are traveling.  Dorian just returned from her Mission 5 months ago to the Limbubashi DRC.

It took three cars to transport us around the city.  This is Presidents new car....

They took us to the "Mandarin" restaurant for dinner.  The chawarma's were wonderful.

So was the chocolate ice-cream, with little biscuits on the top.

We also went to Mami Wata's for lunch on Thursday.  It was located on the shores of the Congo River.  

We couldn't believe the many boats that were docked and ready to go.

Or the "wave-runners".....

We loved the beautiful flowers and the statue of a "siren" that surrounded our outside eating area.

The hibiscus flowers that were on each table  were put in sand and tied with some kind of plant-leaf.  

These plants greeted us as we entered.  I am not quite sure what the hollowed-out wood vases are...... 

Right below where we were sitting, some boys with their cup of worms and home-made fishing poles came to catch their lunch.  

Elder & Sister Moody, Sister Monga & Sister Coleman are looking across the Congo River at Kinshasa...... We are grateful for the time we spent there, but are looking forward to the rest of our Mission under the watchful care of President Monga and the Brazzaville Mission.

Until next week............